2012 nissan armada Reviews and News

2012 Nissan Armada

By
Automobile Magazine
- 12/07/2011

The Armada is something of a rarity in new-car lots: a truck-based, eight-passenger SUV. Although large SUVs are not as popular as they once were, there are still buyers who need the strength and versatility of just such a vehicle. The Armada can tackle unpaved terrain thanks to a tough truck chassis and beefy low-range four-wheel drive. It can also tow up to 9000 pounds. A third-row seat is standard. Although the cabin isn't quite as cavernous as the exterior dimensions suggest, space is plentiful. The quality of some interior materials is wanting, but the space can be dressed up with optional wood trim and leather. The Armada comes with such standard items as a leather-wrapped steering wheel, eighteen-inch wheels, automatic headlights, a power driver's seat, an eight-speaker sound system, and power-adjustable pedals. The lengthy options list includes push-button start, a power liftgate, Bluetooth, touch-screen navigation, a rear-seat DVD player, and twenty-inch wheels. The sole powertrain is a stout 5.6-liter V-8 and a five-speed automatic transmission, with either rear- or four-wheel drive. Rear-wheel-drive models get 1 extra mpg, but with a beast this thirsty, that's a negligible improvement. Four-wheel-drive models have a low-range mode with crawl ratios for extreme towing or off-roading needs. Compared with its rivals, the big Nissan drives more like a truck and less like a luxury machine. It is, however, still a worthy choice if you need to haul a big family, travel through the woods, and tow a boat--all at the same time.

Like many other truck-based SUVs, the Armada was created in another time, when bigger was better, sacrifices were made to have three rows to not be in a minivan, and 20 MPG was wonderful but unnecessary. Sadly for the Armada, times have changed and it has not. Based on and developed alongside the Titan pickup, the Armada was Nissan's attempt to cash in on the full-size SUV market that the Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Ford Expedition had long dominated. When the Armada hit the scene in 2004, the fact that it handled like and got the fuel economy of a truck mattered little to customers. Now, it's hard to justify the $55,000 price tag of our tester when its competition has advanced so much further. However, Nissan did get one thing right -- the front seats are very comfortable and surprisingly well-bolstered giving the non-sporting demeanor of this truck.

2012 Nissan Armada Platinum

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Safety

Sound & Entertainment

Warranty

Vehicle

36,000 miles / 36 months

Powertrain

60,000 miles / 60 months

Corrosion

Unlimited miles / 60 months

Recalls

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:20

Component

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Summary

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 TITAN AND ARMADA VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 12, 2011, THROUGH MARCH 13, 2012. THE PART 567 CERTIFICATION LABELS ON THE VEHICLES DO NOT CONTAIN RIM SIZE INFORMATION. THUS, THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, ¿TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS.¿

Consequences

THE OMISSION OF THE RIM SIZE MAY LEAD TO AN INCORRECT TIRE/WHEEL COMBINATION WHICH MAY INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF A CRASH.

Remedy

NISSAN WILL SUPPLY OWNERS WITH A NEW LABEL AND INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW INSTALL THE LABEL OR THE OWNER WILL HAVE THE OPTION OF TAKING THEIR VEHICLE TO A NISSAN DEALER TO HAVE THE NEW LABEL INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 28, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-615-725-1000.